(UK) Cloud Wifi access from iPhone

What's the range on Cloud, just inside the building mainly or good distance around it too?

I think there's Cloud in the pub round the corner, but it won't be open yet - do you have to search for the network or does it just appear when you are nearby?

AC

I had exactly the same problem, although I only tried to use my 'usual' number (which is being ported over to O2) so perhaps that was the issue (maybe I should have used my temporary O2 number instead?)

It could also be that the Cloud couldn't simply handle the amount of new iPhone users trying out their hotspot? I noticed a couple of other people trying to access their iPhones in the same hotspot (it was a pub) but I didn't ask if it was working for them.

I'll try again later today / tomorrow and will report back.

OK

Will try later and update.

I quite fancy a beer myself but doubt the missus would be pleased if I went for one at this time of day!

AC

I activated my The Cloud access yesterday afternoon in a coffee shop in the middle of London. No problem at all. Used my old O2 number that I ported over to the iPhone. Worked smoothly.

I think you are fine to use your temporary number. I don't think there's anything to lose when trying.

From a technical point, I think what happens is: The Cloud has a list of phone numbers that are on an iPhone contract, provided by O2 (there may be some delays in keeping this list up-to-date between The Cloud and O2). When you activate it, it checks these details. I would also believe that O2 provides them with the MAC address (a unique address that each network device has, hence also your built-in wireless (and also bluetooth)) for that particular iPhone with this number. (I very much believe all these details are very painstakingly registered and managed by Apple/O2 during the activation process).

So when you try to activate your iPhone on The Cloud, they check your number with the MAC address (the latter one is included in all network packets) and if there's a match, you get access and you are market as a valid (iPhone) user by The Cloud, which will mean for all future access you won't have to enter your phone number again.

The MAC address is usually the only (kind of) reliable way to uniquely identify a network device and that's how usually these hotspot networks work.

Hope it helps to understand a bit this side of your new iPhone. 🙂

Try getting closer if you can. Sometimes a large aerial can flood an area giving the strong signal symbol, but the weedy aerial in a phone doesn't make it back to the access point due to the lower signal to noise ratio.

Hi quick question when you type in your number into the cloud front page and the timer comes up does that mean its now chargeing you?

It just means: all is fine now and enjoy your free access with The Cloud. From now on, your iPhone will automatically connect to a The Cloud hotspot as soon as it finds one and you have Wi-Fi switched on.

Cloud WIFI network:http://www.thecloud.net/

Regarding the cloud, I've got it working at Esporta....

However it also reports on the website that it is installed in McDonalds. I then saw an FAQ somewhere that suggested we couldn't use it in McDonalds, so I went to my local McDonalds which is listed, but there was no WiFi - The Cloud, it had a different ID and required a password to connect.

Anyone know if this is the case, or was there another network interfering? Has anyone connected using the iPhone to wifi in McDonalds?

AFAIK the Cloud is only installed in McDonalds owned by McDonalds itself. Franchises can choose other providers or not to provide at all. The full list is on the Cloud's website. I understand however that McDonalds are looking to provide free wifi access at all of its 'restaurants' in the UK over the next year.

That makes sense, thanks for the clarification